Appatlo Okadundevadu was postponed several times, since distributors feared to invest big amounts demanded by producers who spent heavy budget on the flick that has Sree Vishnu and Nara Rohit playing lead roles. Then, the producers released the movie on own. Let’s see go into the review…

Story: The film is biopic of a yesteryear Hyderabad based cricketer player Railway Raju (Sree Vishnu). Raju leads a happy life and hopes to play for India one day. He has a girlfriend (Tanya Hope). On the other hand, a police officer Imtiaz Ali (Nara Rohit) assassinates Naxalites with personal grudge.

Raju’s life takes new turn after he unexpectedly kills a local rowdy sheeter Bhagwan Das (Jeevi). Rest of the story is conflict between Raju and Imtiaz…

Positives: 1. Story 2. Second Half Narration 3. Direction 4. Music

Negatives: 1. First Half 2. Lack Of Commercial Ingredients

Analysis:

Artists Performances: Sree Vishnu did brief roles in few films. But, this is first film for him as full time hero. Vishnu impressed with his performance and innocence in his face and eyes is biggest asset for him. However, he was too good in cricket episodes and in the sequences of dealing businesses in the second half. It’s a very good changeover indeed from him in the second half. Nara Rohit was apt for the role. He appeared rugged with grown beard. He dominates in all the scenes he appears. Taniya Hope did give wonderful performance. The actress who was seen in glamorous avatar in a special song in Nenu Sailaja was appeared in traditional role. She was too good in the second half. Sasha Singh was cool as a budding cricketer. Brahmaji was big asset. He showed his experience in pre-climax episode. He makes us emotional with his performance. Srinivas Reddy was funny in short role. Satya Prakash was exceptional in a negative role. Other artists played their parts efficiently.

Technical Aspect: Director Sagar K Chandra took a braving decision by adopting an original story happened in early 90’s in Hyderabad. Good thing is he added cinematic elements to garner additional interest. Rather incorporating unnecessary commercial ingredients, Sagar who fully believed in his script has made the film as he desired. Seems like, he did good research on the yesteryear cricketer’s life. The director exploited each and every point prolifically.

Movie actually starts with a young girl from Kolkata searching for a former cricketer who has been missing for ages. The story is narrated interestingly from two persons point of view. Vishnu playing cricket in police ground to prove himself was major highlight in first half. Story takes emotional ride in last half an hour which is selling point overall. Emotional sequences in climax episode was heart touching. Vishnu and Nara Rohit conflict was intriguing in all episodes.

Music by Sai Karthik was okay, but background score by Bobbili Suresh was one of the biggest assets. Re-recording work in key episodes, especially in pre-climax was captivating. Naveen Yadav’s camera work is neat. Kotagiri Venkateswar Rao’s editing was sharp. Production values of Aran Media are good. .

Verdict: Appatlo Okadundevadu is definitely a worth watching film in theaters. Though the film lacks commercial elements, one will definitely relish the core point.